Code Library › Volume 1 › Section 3.2 — Building Fire Safety
PART 3 — FIRE PROTECTION, OCCUPANT SAFETY AND ACCESSIBILITYUpdated for the 2024 Ontario Building Code

3.2.7.8.Emergency Power for Fire Alarm Systems

(1) Fire alarm systems, including those incorporating a voice communication system, shall be provided with an emergency power supply conforming to Sentences (2) to (4). (2) The emergency power supply required by Sentence (1) shall be supplied from (a) a generator, (b) batteries, or (c) a combination thereof. (3) The emergency power supply required by Sentence (1) shall be capable of providing (a) supervisory power for not less than 24 h, and (b) immediately following that period, emergency power under full load for not less than (i) 2 h for a building within the scope of Subsection 3.2.6., (ii) 1 h for a building classified as Group B major occupancy that is not within the scope of Subsection 3.2.6., (ii.1) 1 h for a building that contains a Group C major occupancy retirement home and that is not within the scope of Subsection 3.2.6., (iii) 1 h for a building within the scope of Article 3.2.2.51. or 3.2.2.60., (iv) 5 min for a building not required to be equipped with an annunciator, and (v) 30 min for any other building. (See Note A-3.2.7.8.(3)) (4) The emergency power supply required by Sentence (1) shall be designed so that, in the event of a failure of the normal power source, there is an immediate automatic transfer to emergency power with no loss of information.
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Code text is reproduced for reference from the Ontario Building Code (O. Reg. 163/24, 2024 Building Code Compendium). This page is provided for general information and is not an official copy. Always verify requirements against the official Ontario Building Code and confirm with your local building department.